Senate Bill 220, which would require harsher punishments for those who commit crimes rooted in prejudice, will be debated in the state’s House of Representatives this week, repors The Indianapolis Star.

"Our job is to protect those who need to be protected," said Rep. Randy Truitt, a sponsor of the bill.

If passed, the legislation would give judges the choice to impose harsher sentences when factors like gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity are motivators in law-breaking.

Indiana is one of five U.S. states that still do not have some form of hate-crimes law, different incarnations of which have been debated by state lawmakers for the past 15 years.

The bill’s long-awaited approval comes in the wake of another’s defeat: SB 344, which was killed last Tuesday in the Senate. Although flawed, the latter bill would have banned discrimination against LGBT people statewide.

Sen. Greg Taylor, a coauthor of SB 344, said the hate-crimes bill may play a role in restoring Indiana’s reputation as a welcoming place for diverse people and businesses. But he stressed that though it will impose penalties for targeted attacks, it should not be confused with LGBT rights legislation.